January 25 / 14.30 Newcastle (AW)

14.30

Standard To Slow

SCU Selects Expert Tips By BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £5129.32
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
SCU Selects Expert Tips By BetUK Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 111-14 BF

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Yet another who has benefited from the switch to Mick Appleby, completing a 1m four-timer in recent weeks; blew the start (not for the first time) when winning run came to a halt at Southwell (1m again) on Monday so that probably shouldn't be taken to suggest that the handicapper's got him, particularly as Billy Loughnane takes 5lb off this time; first attempt at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

14

(12)

11th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Zealot

8st 8lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

All eight wins have been on the AW and he's been coming up short in weaker handicaps than this on turf.

12/1

2nd

1

(1)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 1f 11y

Class 4

17:50 Goodwood

Zealot

9st 9lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

dwelt start, took keen hold, raced in second, led narrowly going best 2f out, headed over 1f out, no match for winner

7/2

11/4

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 341- D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Shaped well in a warm race on the first of two turf starts for Sir Michael Stoute last spring and, having had wind surgery and been sold for 60,000gns in October, this well-bred colt easily made a winning return to action for his new stable in a 1m2f Lingfield novice seven weeks ago; more will be needed now moving into handicap company against established opposition but he's promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(17)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Crystal Delight

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Harry Eustace

With new yard this year and much improved when readily making all in good-ground handicaps at Epsom (1m2f) and York (1m4f) this spring; a first crack at 1m6f isn't fanciful but he needs to bounce back from a heavy defeat in 1m4f Listed race at Newmarket eight weeks ago.

20/1

5th

4

(3)

29th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Crystal Delight

9st 2lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Harry Eustace

led narrowly, headed and raced in second from over 7f out

7/2

1st

6

(10)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:15 York

Crystal Delight

9st 6lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Harry Eustace

made all, set steady pace, increased tempo over 3f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, readily

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 5111-3 CD

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won first three starts for this yard and lost little in defeat when third in a very competitive 1m2f event at Lingfield on Saturday, particularly as he didn't enjoy the smoothest run through; good shout if over those exertions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

16:15 Epsom

Dream Harder

8st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ian Williams

Never dangerous in this race last year on his only visit to Epsom; however, he's scored twice at Chester (which has similarities to this track) and that includes over 1m4f last Saturday when his head was in front where it matters for the first time in 22 months; back up 2lb but still 5lb below his peak mark and soft ground should not be a problem; in the mix.

25/1

3

(1)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

15:55 Chester

Dream Harder

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

Some creditable efforts on AW this winter; never involved when eighth of 14 over the extended 1m2f here (good) 23 days ago but it was no bad run and he's dropped to 2lb below the mark he defied over C&D (soft) in summer 2023; no surprise were he to bounce back to form with a bang.

6/1

11/1

Form: 17553- CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in October; another creditable effort when third to the reopposing Dream Harder over C&D four weeks ago but that rival may be too strong again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(10)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

16:28 Redcar

Freak Out

10st 0lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Gemma Tutty

The standout in-form candidate after front-running efforts on last three starts brought two 1m2f Beverley wins and a short-head defeat off this mark in blanket finish over Musselburgh's 1m4f; should go very well again.

3/1

2nd

3

(3)

11th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

14:20 Musselburgh

Freak Out

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: Gemma Tutty

Prominent racer; feasibly weighted seeking a hat-trick after back-to-back Beverley wins (1m2f; has risen a combined total of 5lb); the stable is going really well, he's versatile ground wise, and this sharp track should suit; enthusiasm is tempered by inconclusive stamina over 1m4f.

7/2

5th
7 (3)
Busby

11/1

Form: 6112-6

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Added to his healthy AW strike-rate with two 9.5f Wolverhampton wins last month; just as good when chasing home the reopposing Dream Harder there on Boxing Day but another nudge up the weights seemed to anchor him last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(9)

21st Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Busby

9st 6lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

prominent early, pressed leader after 1f, led 6f out, headed over 3f out, weakened from over 2f out

3/1

5th

2

(4)

3rd Mar 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

16:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Busby

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Philip Kirby

Seen more often over further these days, but last week still managed to win over C&D for the fifth time; that was a 0-50 classified event and his 4lb penalty means he is 7lb higher than when last successful in a handicap, but he still commands respect.

11/4

1st

2

(7)

24th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Busby

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Multiple C&D winner who comes here in good form and was runner-up in 1m2f Newcastle handicap 23 days ago (ran in a void race here since); he's a big player at these weights refitted with his usual visor.

2/1

14/1

Form: 00956- CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Three wins in 2022, including over C&D off this mark in January; ended the year with some respectable efforts on AW and certainly no surprise were he to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

1st Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:20 Ripon

Society Red

8st 11lb

J: Paul Hanagan

T: Richard Fahey

Has worn these cheekpieces the last twice; inconsistent 9yo who was disappointing at Ayr (1m2f, good) last time but prior to that he was a good second over this C&D (soft) and he's capable bouncing back from a poor run; has won over C&D and is versatile ground-wise; not written off.

25/1

9th

4

(3)

8th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ayr

Society Red

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Got back on track in first-time cheekpieces when second of eight in 1m2f Ripon handicap 18 days ago; he needs considering nudged up 1lb with the headgear retained.

6/1

2nd

7

(9)

20th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:30 Ripon

Society Red

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

in touch with leaders on outer

16/1

Form: 67707-

Last run: 124 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Close third in a 1m Irish Group 2 in September 2021 but nothing like that in his six starts since, the last three for this yard; tongue-tie off, first-time cheekpieces on now returning to AW (won a Dundalk maiden on debut) after a four-month break; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

2nd Oct 2023

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Absolute Ruler

10st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, disputed lead, lost position 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before 2 out

9/2

7th

1

(6)

30th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

14:10 Catterick

Absolute Ruler

10st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jennie Candlish

prominent, dropped to midfield after 4f, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened

12/1

6th

2

3rd Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:35 Southwell

Absolute Ruler

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, led, not fluent when headed 3 out, ridden and disputing lead after 3 out, weakened before 2 out

4/5

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.20
Straight Forecast £12.84
Trifecta £24.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dream Harder

TOPSPEED:

Busby

NEWMARKET:

Crystal Delight

The Sun:

Zealot

Telegraph:

Crystal Delight

RP Ratings:

Dream Harder

The Times:

Dream Harder

Daily Mail:

Dream Harder

D Express:

Dream Harder

Daily Mirror:

Dream Harder

Daily Record:

Dream Harder

The Star:

Zealot

POSTDATA:

Busby

The Guardian:

Busby